Warrick followed Catherine inside, making sure she was still okay.

Her first stop was the answering machine and he watched the features on her face flash a small bit of sadness. No messages from Lindsay he guessed. The 15 year old seemed to want nothing to do with her mother the older she got.

He knew if he was going to make any sort of impression on her it would have to be now. He grabbed her shoulders tightly, holding her still for a moment before sliding around to face her.

She hung her head to try and hide the tears, but her didn't let her.

He firmly kissed her and held her against him. He'd never done this to her. He's never eve n touched her in any form but pure friendship. He leaned his chin on her shoulder and tilted his head so his lips brushed her ear. "She'll come around. She's a teenager."

Catherine nodded as she let herself fall into his embrace. He scooped her into his arms and felt her whole body shaking. He couldn't believe how small she was when she curled up in his embrace.

He carried her into her room and laid her down on her bed. He slid her window open and set the fan inside of it, attempting to draw the cool night air. Turning around, he saw her sitting up, eyes now dry, legs curled up underneath her. Why did this feel so natural? He sat next to her and put one hand around her waist.

"Talk to me, Cat… what's going on?"

Closing her eyes, Catherine thought back, trying to reengage the dream she had just twenty minutes before. Suddenly she felt embarrassed… almost humiliated by her pre-CSI career. Nothing but skin. Dancing in front of total strangers to a song she'd never heard before. Letting them touch her in ways not even her husband was allowed. Letting them see her sweat glistened body.

Another tear slipped through her closed eyes. "Damn. Warrick… I hate who I was… and who I am."

He tilted his head, waiting for more without pushing her.

She wrapped both arms around his neck. "I'm starting to have nightmares of dancing… of stripping. I had one before you woke me up. You were actually in it and I was so… embarrassed."

"That's behind you, Cath. You're an amzing woman. You try so hard with Lindsay and she'll see it. She's young and curious… she's going to try and push every button you have and she won't stop until she succeeds in driving you over the edge. And if she can't… than the respect will come back. So, you can't let her win this. You need to hold strong and understand she's testing you."

Catherine pulled back from him, smiling. "Thanks." She managed.

"What … what are friends …" He didn't finish. Her beauty captivated him and he found himself deep in a passionate kiss he wasn't sure he started. He felt her lips separate slightly, teasing him before closing tight.

Catherine giggled, leaving him to wonder where they were taking this.

Game on. He forced his tongue between her lips and hooked it on the tip of her tooth before sliding back out and brushing tastefully against her lower lip.

Sounds from the city and the lights of the bedroom started to fade as she let her hands dance across his cheek. Moving straight from first kiss to intimate touches was new for her… or at least new since Eddie's death. She moved her lips from his to his neck as she felt his hands on her back. It zippers down. She thought as his fingers grasped at the piece of metal, pulling it down and forward in one swift motion.

Her turn. He let her unbutton his shirt as he began to kiss the front of her neck and chest, coming tantalizingly close to her breasts. He paused, eliciting a deep moan from her. Quickly, she pulled his shirt off and let him slip her bra straps down over her shoulders.

He unclasped the back and not letting her take the next turn, he slid her dress pants and underwear off, shoving her down against the bed. Her smile was sweet and soft almost different. He kissed her passionately on the lips, releasing her hands to work on his pants.

He waited a moment after his pants reached safety at the far side of the room before looking deep into her eyes. "I've wanted this." He breathed. "I know you have… but I want you to know I love you." Waiting another moment after her satisfying smile graced her face, he touched her stomach and let his fingers slide from her stomach down between her legs. He played carefully for a moment before letting himself touch her and slide slightly inside.

She let him take his time. After years of fast paced, hard nights of breathlessness and often pain, she would appreciate someone who cared.

Gently he pushed harder, taking one of her hands and squeezing tightly.

A passionate sexual experience and she wasn't used to that. She let him lead, like a dance. A soundtrack played in her mind as Warrick continued further inside until he couldn't any longer. He paused again as her other hand released the sheets and caught his shoulder. "War-rick…oh…" The heart tears burned her cheeks. She loved this. Warrick was so unlike any other man.

"Ssh…" he whispered with a smile. "I… love you… Catherine." He whispered close against her ear. One last time he pushed himself into her, lifting her partly off of the bed. Sliding out, swiftly, but gently, he caught her as her body crumpled against his. He held her until she stopped shaking.

"Warrick…?"

"What is it, Catherine?"

"Don't leave me…"

"Never, Catherine… I'm here with you now and I'm going to take care of you for as long as you'll have me. You and Lindsay."

Her tears were more apparent now as she kissed him, wrapping her legs and arms around him and pulling the sheets around them both she rested her head against his strong chest. His heart beat hard matching her still ragged breathing, but she was happy. That was the biggest difference. A man who loves her was holding her tightly, not someone out looking for a good time.